Coach Sampson Chat Wrap

Nov. 10, 2000

Kelvin Sampson at 3:00pm ET
Hello everyone. I am here and ready to take your questions. Let's get started!

Cosmo from metr.ou.edu at 3:01pm ET
How long until the new boys start playing Kelvin style defense? Defense seems to always be a strength of our team.

Kelvin Sampson at 3:02pm ET
I think that will take a while. The effort is there and I can see them making improvement. But until we play games against other teams will be become a good defensive team. I think it will take a couple weeks of games. Hopefully by the time we get back from Hawaii we will be a good defensive team.

SoonerCarl from proxy.aol.com at 3:02pm ET
Coach: I can't wait to get this season going. Are you as optimistic as the fans and media for this season's success? Best of luck.

Kelvin Sampson at 3:03pm ET
I think early in the season everyone is optimistic but coaches are more realistic. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us. Eventually we will be very good.

Paul from [4.17.247.12], at 3:03pm ET
Hello Coach Sampson. What do you feel will be the strength of OU this season?

Kelvin Sampson at 3:03pm ET
I think our quickness. Athleticism on the perimeter, offensive rebounding, and three-point shooting. We will also be solid defensively.

AdaSoonerBilly from wilnet1.com at 3:03pm ET
Why do you schedule a team like Maryland that late in the season?

Kelvin Sampson at 3:04pm ET
It's not our doing. TV dictates those games. If you want to be known as one of the best teams in the nation you have to schedule those games. These are games that are designed to present matchup interest for the viewers for television. If it wasn't a major TV game we wouldn't do it.

Jonathan from [205.240.131.52], at 3:05pm ET
Coach,
First off I would just like to express my appreciation for what you have done with the team during your career here. I hope there are many more successful seasons for you and the Sooners. I was at the "Late Night with the Sooners" a couple weekends ago. In the scrimmage I was very pleased with what I saw from Ace McGhee. Do you feel that this is a preview of what is to come this season, or does the newcomer still have a lot to learn?

Kelvin Sampson at 3:06pm ET
I think he will be a good player this year and very productive. But like most JUCO kids he will take some steps backwards. Those guys usually become really good second semester. We expect him to be our go-to guy inside for us.

Sooner Grad from dsl.kscymo.swbell.net at 3:06pm ET
Do you think that you will be at a size disadvantage this year, or do you think that the quickness of three guards will give you an edge?

Kelvin Sampson at 3:06pm ET
I think the size will be a factor against some teams, like Kansas for example. Everybody is at a disadvantage against them. How we play as a team and how we play to our strengths is what I am concerned about.

Sooner Student from [129.15.108.94] at 3:07pm ET
Coach, is it possible for us to pull a double dip and win both the football and basketball titles?

Kelvin Sampson at 3:07pm ET
I would like to hope so! We will give it our best shot! That is why you dream. You might as well dream big!

Jeremy from [164.58.232.1] at 3:08pm ET
How are you going to make up for the loss of Eduardo Najera?

Kelvin Sampson at 3:09pm ET
First of all, we won't. Every time you lose a great player, you look for ways to make your team better. We think we can be better in offensive rebounding, more athletic, etc. We have to take advantages of those areas. You don't replace guys like Najera. We have to just make our team better.

Neumann from pmmc.com at 3:09pm ET
Coach, any thoughts on the toughest place to play on the road in the conference... Ames, Stillwater, Lawrence, your place? Also, who do you love to coach against in the Big 12 as far as strategy? Anyone stick out?

Kelvin Sampson at 3:11pm ET
The road is tough in general. The more successful programs, KU, Texas, Missouri, are the toughest to play. The places with the toughest teams!

I'd say it's always a great matchup with OU plays Texas and Oklahoma St. Those are great matchups because we are a very similar style. The preparation and trying to counteract the things they do is fun.

Coach Wells from [199.120.65.15] at 3:11pm ET
What is your top priority early on in your preparation for the season?

Kelvin Sampson at 3:12pm ET
Establishing an identity with our team. Understanding how you want to win. That comes from your identity. From an X's and O's standpoint, a transition defense.

Jonathan from texhoma.net at 3:12pm ET
Which of the newcomers do expect to redshirt and which one do you plan on having in the starting lineup?

Kelvin Sampson at 3:13pm ET
Redshirts are Blake Johnston and Jozsef Szendrei. Those two will probably redshirt. Playing, probably Aaron McGhee, and Johnnie Gilbert have a good chance at starting.

BoomerT from houston.rr.com at 3:14pm ET
Have you got a starting center this year? Is our plan to outrun the other teams?

Kelvin Sampson at 3:15pm ET
Well, we've always played with two post men. We have two guys we can play inside. Quickness will be more important than size this year. We have kids who are athletic enough to compensate. We have to create more shots on transition than we have in the past.

Duke2000 from dorm.duke.edu at 3:16pm ET
Do you think the Big 12 can compete with the ACC?

Kelvin Sampson at 3:16pm ET
I think at the top it is comparable. With Duke, Maryland and NC, those are three of the best teams in the nation. But top to bottom we are comparable.

AdaSoonerBilly from wilnet1.com at 3:16pm ET
How do you keep the young men so down to earth coach. I know a lot of the time it can go to the kids heads?

Kelvin Sampson at 3:17pm ET
I think practicing against veterans is very humbling. Every kid comes in with great accolades but you have to establish yourself early here. We don't want your autograph we want to know what you can do. It starts with respect. We have had great players here before and you have to find a way to make the program better.

Dave from [129.15.163.172] at 3:18pm ET
Do you change your coaching style according to the type of game and players, like the shoot first team this year opposed to the bangers of last?

Kelvin Sampson at 3:19pm ET
I think it is important to adjust to your personnel. From an identity standpoint, we want to have a toughness and very competitive team. You have to adjust to your strengths and weaknesses. We won't score with our set offense as much this year, but rather driving the ball to the basket and scoring in the paint. I think that is one of the keys to coaching is adjusting.

BoomerT from houston.rr.com at 3:19pm ET
I love the excitement associated with transition basketball. Our guys have always been in pretty good shape, but with the emphasis on speed, have you put any added importance on conditioning this year?

Kelvin Sampson at 3:20pm ET
Yes we did. ONe of the good things about being at OU is we have great resources, equipment, coaches, etc. We emphasize that a lot more now. We play without the whistle a lot so we have more transition. It all comes down to the kind of kids you have and we have kids who want to be successful and they get in the best shape they can in the offseason.

Dave from [129.15.163.172] at 3:20pm ET
With all the mess in the presidential campaign, have you given any thought to a Stoops/Sampson ticket in 2004?

Kelvin Sampson at 3:21pm ET
I think we could carry Oklahoma!

Kelvin Sampson at 3:21pm ET
We would be a good independent party. They wouldn't have to recount the votes either!

Barry from [208.165.97.87] at 3:21pm ET
How's our perimeter game coming along? Can we count on someone besides Heskett to bomb the 3?

Kelvin Sampson at 3:22pm ET
Our two best shooters were Raymond and Newton. J.R. will miss the first couple games though. These guys are extremely good 3-point shooters. We have good core guards and can make 3s and penetrate.

Greg Lazaroff from [216.170.148.146] at 3:22pm ET
Coach Sampson, I just wanted to know how you go about recruiting your players. Do you ever make it to the east coast, like Massachusetts, and Rhode Island?

Kelvin Sampson at 3:25pm ET
Not as a point of emphasis. We go wherever we have an in. From a JUCO kid, we might find someone in that area. We like to stay in our area mostly. I'm from North Carolina so we go there sometimes. But basically we like to stay geographically compatible to where we are. But we will recruit from just about anywhere.

I want to thank everybody for their support. One of the great things about coaching is the interaction with fans. I love doing these chats and meeting you guys. If you ever have any questions please drop me a note, I would love to hear from you.

Sorry we couldn't get to every question but I thank you for your support. Take care.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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